Fence guard



Nov. 15, 1932. LY, R 1,888,030

FENCE GUARD Filed March 4, 32

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Patented Nov. 1 5, 1932 ATEN OFFICE WILLIAM NEWBOLD ELY, .13., OF GwYNEn-n VALLEY, PENNSYLVANIA- FENCE sim an a 1 Application. filed March 4,

This invention relates to a fence guard designed to cover wire fences of the plain or barbed wire type where such fences are to be r jumped by horses.

On farms and ranches it frequently becomes desirable for mounted patrols, riders, huntsmen, to cross wire fences in order to enter adjoining land and it is necessary for the riders to dismount and cut the strands of the wire fence, or to make an undesirable detour or to jump the fence with their mounts. In jumping the fence the horse may not see a Wire fence at all or may not clearly see. the top wire of tl e fence so that he will not make a clear ump. Inasmuch as the wires of such fences yield to a considerable extent, the horse may be violently thrown because of the whipping action of the wire.

It is the object of the present invention to 0 provide a guard for a wire fence plain or barbed which will not only render the fence visible so that the horse will jump clear but will also serve as a protection against the wire strands as well as against the barbs of a barbed wire fence in case the horse does accidentally come in contact therewith. More specifically, it is the object of the invention to provide a guard of this general character which may be readily carried during a hunt 0 and which may be readily placed in position on a fence. Briefly stated, the guard consists of a number of substantially rigid plates secured flexibly together so that the guard may be folded into a compact unit.

The various objects of the invention and particularly those relating to details of construction will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing the application of the improved guard to a fence;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the guard in expanded condition;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view il-' 45 lustrating the flexible connection between the I various elements; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the compact unit formed by folding the guard. The guard comprises principally a number 0 of plates, preferably rectangular, and spe- 1932. Serial N 596,755.

cifically square, illustrated at 2. These lates are preferably substantially rigid eing formed of a light metalsuch as aluminum, or the like, or else of stifffibre board or similar material. They should be of such thickness and strength that even if violently driven against the barbs of a barbed wire fence they, will not bepenetrated.

The plates2 are flexiblysecured together by rings, or. lacing, illustrated at 4, which may consist of separate metallicrings, or else laces of wire or suitably heavy cord. These connecting elements pass through holes 6 in the various members as illustrated in Fig. 3 in which a lacing arrangement is illustrated.

In its preferred form the guard is of a rec tangular shape formed by the flexible connection of a number of plates 2. As illustrated, each of these plates is preferably secured along at least two sides to other plates of the guard so that by proper folding a compact bundle such as illustrated in Fig. 4 may be produced.

In the use of the guard it is merely necessary to fold it over the top wire 8 of the fence in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. A visible obstacle is thus presented to the horse who Will accordingly jump to clear it. Even though a clear jump is not made the plates Will protect the horse from the barbs of a barbed wire fence. They will also tend to minimize the whipping action which may result in a bad fall.

It will be observed that the various plates constituting the guard may be readily folded upon each other to form a compact'bundle, or pack, which not only takes up very little space, but is also quite light inasmuch as it is formed of the materials mentioned above,

. namely, either a light metal such as aluminum, or else a stifl fibreboard or some similar material. By' reason of these properties the guard is portable to the extent that it may be readily carried as part of the equipment of a rider.

It will be clear that various constructional details may be changed without departing from the invention, as defined in the following claims.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A protective device for association with a wire fence including a plurality of plates flexibly secured together, the device being adapted to be folded over a fence.

2. A protective device for association with a Wire fence including a plurality of substantially rigid plates flexibly secured together, the device being adapted to be folded over a fence.

3. A protective device for association with a wire fence including a plurality of plates of approximately the same size flexibly secured together, the device being adapted to be fold ed over a fence.- 7 L 4. A protective device for association with a Wire fence including a plurality of rectangular plates each of which is flexibly secured along at least two sides to other plates of the device, the device being adapted to be folded over a fence. I

In testimony of which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, at Philadelphia, Pa., on this 27 day of February, 1932.

WILLIAM NEWBOLD ELY, JR. 

